Erie 1 BOCES eAcademy Teacher Assistants Enjoy Student Connections, Staff Camaraderie

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  Amber Klein said she has enjoyed seeing students develop in their studies as a teacher assistant at Erie 1 BOCES’ eAcademy.

For teacher assistants Carolyn Cullen and Amber Klein, the connection to the happiness and success of their students is just as important as the virtual connections that make their classrooms work.

The pair support elementary classrooms in the Erie 1 BOCES eAcademy, a 100 percent virtual option for K-12 students that features live and asynchronous instruction and a supportive environment. The program has grown to support physical and emotionally vulnerable students, and students in need of an alternative learning environment.

“They’re excited to see us, we’re excited to see them,” said Klein, who has been with Erie 1 BOCES since 2020. “When they log in at 7:45 in the morning, we’re the first faces they see. We are their social interaction, us and their classroom, so it’s just fun to see them experience that and get some of that normal piece of an everyday school day for those students.”

Cullen, who has been with Erie 1 BOCES since 2018, said the best part of her work is seeing how her students develop over the course of the school year.

“It’s so nice to be with them for the beginning of the school year and seeing how much they grow and learn by the end of the year, and knowing you’re a part of that,” she said.

The program attracts students from across New York state, from near New York City all the way to the Southern Tier, creating unique opportunities for students in their interactions with classmates.

“I think watching them experience each other’s lives also and what their weather may look like, or what their neighborhoods look like is such a neat experience,” Klein said. “It connects different cultures, and the kids really seem to enjoy that.”

Both said their work has benefited from the relationships they have developed with their coworkers, along with a network of support across the organization.

 “The culture here at Erie 1 BOCES is so positive, it’s incredible,” Cullen said. “You come in, and you know that you always have a support team, whether it be with your coworkers, or if you have an issue, management. They’re always there to have your back.”

Learn more about career opportunities at Erie 1 BOCES by visiting https://www.e1b.org/en/about-us/employment.aspx.